Working with Text Strings

Defining Object Reference Variables

Object reference variables are used to manage and manipulate objects contained within the Notes applications. There are essentially three steps required to manage an objectdeclare a variable for the object, associate the variable with the object, and utilize methods and properties to manage the object.

For example, in most cases when working with LotusScript, you'll need to define an object variable that refers to the current database. First, declare the variable using the DIM statement. In Notes development, the database object variable is often named db.

Next, use the SET statement to assign a value to the database variable (e.g., associate mydemo.nsf with the object db). Now you can use the methods and properties associated with the NotesDatabase class to manage the database. In this case, the title property returns the name of the database. When used with the Messagebox statement, this example will display a popup message with the database name.

' --- Declare the variable "db"
Dim db As NotesDatabase
' --- Associate "mydemo.nsf" with "db" for the current
' --- computer. The "" signifies the current computer which
' --- could be local or on the server.
Set db = New NotesDatabase("", "mydemo.nsf")
' --- Display the database name using the "Title" property
Messagebox(db.Title)

Besides working with database objects, you may need to work with document objects (e.g., fields). These objects can be referenced from both the front-end and back-end. To access document objects, you again have to declare a variable and associate an object with the variable before you can manage the object.

This second example illustrates the general process for referencing fields. In many cases, you'll need to use the following statements to reference and work with objects from within the document. These statements are often added to action buttons and document events. Although the process is similar to the database object example, the path to referencing the object is more complex because you have to reference other objects before you get to the form objects.

First, you must declare a variable that refers to the current workspace (w), a variable that refers to the front-end object (uidoc), and one that refers to the back-end object (doc). Next, you must set the front-end variable before setting the back-end variable. Finally, you can manage the document or field objects using methods and properties.